From 19 September 2020, a number of concessions will be available for certain visa holders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you hold, or held, a temporary or provisional visa listed below during the COVID-19 concession period you may be eligible for a COVID-19 concession.
Temporary concession for certain Family visa applicants affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions
COVID-19 Australian visa concessions – Partner and Child visas
Some categories of visas require applicants to be outside of Australia at the time the visa is granted. The Department is aware that COVID-19 travel restrictions are affecting visa applicants, particularly applicants for family visas who have come to Australia.
The Department is taking disruptions arising from the pandemic into account when considering visa applications. Visa applicants are being given additional time to complete the necessary requirements, including any current requirement to be offshore at time of visa grant.
If you have applied for a Partner or Child visa outside Australia but are in Australia during the COVID-19 concession period, you can be granted a visa in Australia if you meet all other visa criteria.
- Visa applicants who made their visa application outside Australia before the end of the COVID-19 concession period, but have been in Australia during that period, will be able to have their visa granted in Australia if all the other requirements for the visa are met.
- Any applicant who is outside Australia and who meets the usual visa grant requirements will be able to be granted the visa outside Australia (as per the current process).
The COVID-19 concession period started on 1 February 2020 and is a temporary arrangement. Check back here for updates about when the concession period will end.
Applicants who come to Australia after the end of the COVID-19 concession period will not be able to be granted their visa while they are in Australia.
Visas included in this concession are:
- Child (subclass 101) visa
- Adoption (subclass 102) visa
- Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa
- Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
- Partner (subclass 309) visa.
COVID-19 Australian visa concessions – Parent visas
Parent visa applications lodged outside Australia
If you have applied for one of the Parent visas listed below outside Australia and you are in Australia on 24 March 2021, your visa can be granted in Australia if you meet all other visa criteria during the COVID-19 concession period.
- Parent (subclass 103) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 173) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
Any applicant for these visas who is outside Australia and who meets the usual visa grant requirements will be able to be granted the visa outside Australia (as per the current process).
Parent visa applications lodged in Australia
If you have applied for one of the Parent visas listed below in Australia, and you are outside Australia on 24 March 2021, your visa can be granted while you are outside Australia if you meet all other visa criteria during the COVID-19 concession period.
- Aged Parent (subclass 804) visa
- Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864) visa
Any applicant for these visas who is in Australia and who meets the usual visa grant requirements will be able to be granted the visa in Australia (as per the current process).
Temporary concessions for Parent visa applicants will apply during the COVID-19 concession period. The COVID-19 concession period started on 1 February 2020. It is a temporary arrangement. Check back here for updates about when the concession period will end.
These amendments will not impact current processing timeframes for Parent visa applications.
If your visa has ceased, or is about to cease, contact No Borders Law Group for options to remain in Australia lawfully.
Bridging visas for Parent and Contributory Parent visa applicants
You may be eligible for the grant of a bridging visa in association with your Parent (Subclass 103), Contributory Parent (Subclass 143) or Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Subclass 173) visa application during the period in which the COVID-19 concessions are in place, if all of these criteria are met:
- you lodged your Parent or Contributory Parent visa application before 24 March 2021
- the visa application was lodged in Australia
- you were in Australia on 24 March 2021
- the visa application has not been finalised.
The bridging visa subclass you may be eligible for depends on your circumstances at the time your Parent or Contributory Parent visa application was made.
COVID-19 Australian visa concessions – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visas
If you held a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa (SPTV) and were outside Australia on 1 July 2021, your visa period has been automatically extended by 18 months. This concession aims to assist SPTV holders who could not spend the full 3 or 5 years on their visa in Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
If your visa was extended under this concession, the additional 18 months will not count toward your cumulative 10 year maximum stay period.
The Department will notify eligible visa holders in writing by the end of August 2021.
Sponsorship obligations for SPTV Sponsors have also been extended for the same 18 month period.
FAQs: Common Visa options and questions in times of covid-19
Q1: My visa is about to expire, what should I do?
- Apply for another visa such as a student, visitor or partner visa. * Once the application is lodged and your visa expires you will go on a bridging visa which will keep you in Australia lawfully;
- If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a Bridging Visa ASAP in order to become lawful.
Q2: My current visa has a “No further stay” condition on it, what are my options?
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- You will need to request a waiver of the condition at least 2 – 3 weeks prior to the expiry date of your visa based on the circumstances of pandemic. Once a waiver is granted, you will be able to lodge a further visa, depending on your circumstances;
- If you are a non-resident visa you cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 months period. In such a circumstance, you will need to apply for a new visa.
Need help Bringing Family Members to Australia ?
If you are looking to bring your love onesto Australia and would like to know more about how to get the process started, you can book a consultation with us. We can give you advice about what is required, assess your eligibility or we can completely take the stress away from you by managing it for you.
NO BORDERS LAW GROUP: #1 TRUSTED MIGRATION LAWYERS
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +61 (07) 3876 4000
Consultation: https://www.noborders-group.com/form/free-consultation
We will help you by exploring visa options and securing applications. We will assess the eligibility of the application for a partner visa, and provide you with detailed advice on your chances of success. If you would like to discuss your visa options and evaluate the pathway to permanent residency, please make an enquiry or book a consultation to get expert advice with one of our knowledgeable and experienced Migration Agents/Lawyers on 07 3876 4000 or email: [email protected].